What name to give the child? This question torments many future parents from the first days of pregnancy. Someone seeks to emphasize the uniqueness of their son or daughter with the most unusual name. And others are quite happy with the common name, the main thing is that it be beautiful and fit the middle name and last name.
After studying the statistics of the registry offices for 2017-2018, we compiled a list of the most popular names in Russia and their meanings. And also tell you how people in other countries of the world prefer to call their children.
The most popular male names in Russia
10. Cyril
In 2017, this name was more popular, ranking ninth in the list. Cyril is translated from ancient Greek as "lord", and in Persian means "sun."
9. Andrey
One of the most beautiful male names in the world has ancient Greek roots. Andrey means “brave”, “valiant”.
8. The novel
Having squeezed Andrey from the 8th to the 9th place of the most popular names, the Roman “from Rome” (namely, this name is translated from the Latin word “Romanus”) is confidently moving up in the top ten. Perhaps, by the end of 2019, the “Roman” will become the seventh in the list of the most popular names in our country.
7. Daniel
Starting from the seventh place, the positions in the ranking of popular names have remained unchanged since 2017.
The word Daniel comes from the Hebrew Daniel. It is formed from two words: “dan” (judge) and “eel” (God). That is, God is my judge, or God is a judge.
6. Dmitry
The more accurate pronunciation of this name is Demetrius. That is, dedicated to Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility and the patroness of agriculture.
5. Ivan
The simple and glorious name Ivan comes from the important-sounding name John, which is translated from Hebrew as “God's favor” or “God's mercy”.
4. Artyom
If the name Dmitry refers to the goddess Demeter, then Artem means "dedicated to Artemis." This is another ancient Greek goddess, not fertility, like Demeter, but a hunter. Another version of the translation of the name Artyom is “impeccably healthy”, “unscathed”.
3. Maxim
The third most popular name in Russia for boys is not the most modest. Moreover, in the literal sense of the word, because translated from Latin Maxim means "the greatest."
2. Michael
This name has a very powerful energy. After all, Michael, translated from Hebrew, means "He who is like God." The same name in the Orthodox tradition bears the archangel Michael, who leads the angelic army.
1. Alexander
Both in 2017 and in 2018, Alexander remained the most popular male name in Russia. Translated from Greek - "protector" or, in an earlier interpretation, "preserving husband."
According to the metropolitan registry office, 2369 boys were born in Moscow last year, named Alexandra.
We dare to assume that this name will remain the most popular name for boys in 2019.
The most popular female names in Russia
10. Daria
The top ten most popular names for girls in our country opens with a sonorous and cheerful name. Translated from Persian, it means "possessing good."
9. Elizabeth
This name was carried by many queens, one of which rules in our time. This is the British Queen Elizabeth II of the Windsor Dynasty, who ascended the throne in 1952. The name "Elizabeth" means "worshiping God" or "the oath of God."
8. Victoria
A strong name that has a close relationship with the name of the ancient Greek goddess of victory - Nicky.
7. Polina
This sonorous feminine name comes from an even more sonorous Apollinaria, that is, "dedicated to Apollo." In ancient Greece, Apollo was revered as the god of art and predictions, as well as the patron saint of immigrants.
6. Ksenia
To be hospitable Xenia ordered, if not God himself, then one of the meanings of the name xenia. There is another theory: the name Ksenia can come from the word xenios - “guest”, “foreigner”.
5. Anastasia
One of the most popular and beautiful female names is the form of the ancient Greek male name Anastas. And it translates as “brought back to life” or “resurrected”. Very optimistic name, right?
4. Alice
Unlike most other common names on this list, the name Alice has not Greek or Jewish, but Germanic roots. Translated from ancient German, it means "noble."
3. Maria
If the “male three” has stability from year to year, then the women’s changes have taken place in comparison with 2017. The name Maria moved to the third line from the second, but still remains one of the most popular female names.
Its "source" is the Hebrew name Mariam. It has many meanings of “beloved,” “coveted,” “stubborn,” “mistress,” and even “bitter.”
2. Anna
In 2017, this name was only the fourth, but in 2018, many, many little An appeared in Russia. This beautiful name means "grace", "God's favor."
1. Sofia
The most popular female name in Russia is closely connected with the Orthodox faith. Sophia was called an early Christian saint, the mother of Hope, Faith and Love. This fashionable name means "wise", "reasonable."
In Moscow alone in 2018, over 2.5 thousand Sonya were born.
Most popular names in Belarus
As in Russia, Belarusians prefer to give their daughters the names Sofia, Anna, Ksenia, Daria and Maria. At the same time, the name of Valery is also in the top ten most common names for girls.
Among the boys, Artyom, Maxim, Ivana and Daniil lead.
The most popular names in Ukraine
Among Ukrainians, the leader among the most popular male names is Maxim and Matvey. The names Artyom and Maxim are also very popular, they close the three leaders of 2018.
Most often, Ukrainian babies are given the names Sofia, Anna, Daria and Zlata. These are the data of the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice at the end of 2018.
Most popular Muslim names
One of (if not the most popular name in the world) is Muhammad or Muhammad. That was the name of the Prophet and Messenger of Allah, to whom the Qur'an was sent down - the holy Scripture of Islam.
Among female names, Amira (“princess, princess”), Nadira (“rare”), Zulfiya (“pretty”) and Gulnara (“pomegranate flower”) are popular.
Most popular names in USA and UK
In England, boys are often given the name Jack, and the girl - Olivia. But in the United States, the names Jacob and Emma are more common.
The most popular names in the world
And here is a picture of the most common names in the world as a whole.